By Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
The first phase of Oliver’s Station Street plaza has been kickstarted with $600,000 in funding from the federal government.
The money comes from the Canada Community Revitalization Fund to start development of the outdoor plaza in the vacant space (park) adjacent to the Coast Hotel.
Town council held an unveiling ceremony on Sept. 7.
“Oliver is thrilled to receive this funding from the Government of Canada as it allows the Town to continue with the significant infrastructure work that has been completed on Station Street,” said Mayor Martin Johansen. “Residents and visitors will be able to use this space as a dynamic venue to gather outside to attend seasonal events, farmers’ markets, and other community events.”
The multi-purpose space near the Okanagan River will serve as a downtown community hub to increase pedestrian accessibility and bolster tourism.
Council approves Station Street Plaza design
The total cost of the plaza is estimated to be $800,000 to $1 million. After the $600,000 is factored in, the remainder will be funded by the Town.
Director of Development Services Randy Houle walked the Times Chronicle through the proposal. First, he noted the Town currently has lots for sale across the street behind the Oliver Theatre.
“We have an accepted offer and we’ll hopefully be able to share those plans (in the future)”
Houle said the developer has some big plans for that lot including mixed use commercial and residential.
“We are optimistic that they’ll have a plan that will provide a lot of housing units downtown, which is what we need.”
Houle said the plaza is the first phase while future phases could feature a timber-frame pavilion for outdoor events.
Houle said the Town will be able to retain two of the mature trees where the plaza will be developed, but unfortunately, two other trees (that are “not in very good shape”) will be removed.
The director said the plaza will be an open space for people to gather with Adirondack chairs. There will also be electrical hookups for the opportunity for bands to play some music, Houle pointed out. Ideally, the Town hopes to turn a few parking stalls into food truck space, he added.
Houle said they are also hopeful that the Coast Hotel will do a restaurant expansion that will complement the plaza.
“The point is not just to build a plaza and hope something happens, you have to have a plan for it with the food trucks and potential future restaurant.”
He noted the goal is to create some more excitement and to encourage more business in the area.
Houle said the plaza will likely take up a quarter of the park between the hotel and the Oliver Visitor Centre.
He stated what happens to the remainder of the park has yet to be determined.
“The overall plan for the area is to keep a lot of the trees.”
Houle said if everything falls into place on Station Street, they will see more housing and commercial units, a community pavilion for markets, and an outdoor plaza. He noted they hope to see the plaza built by next spring.
